Bill to Establish Veterans’ Cemetery in Interior
Moves Out of Senate State Affairs Committee

JUNEAU – Legislation under which the State of Alaska would authorize the establishment and maintenance of a veterans’ cemetery to serve the Interior and northern Alaska was approved by the Senate State Affairs committee.

SB 45, Sponsored by Sen. Charlie Huggins, R-Wasilla, and Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, gives the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs the authority to establish veterans’ cemeteries and to set up a fund to provide for maintenance of the cemeteries. The bill also allows the Legislature to appropriate income from the sale of veterans’ commemorative license plates to the cemetery fund and clarifies veterans’ hiring preferences in state statutes.

“In addition to clarifying veterans’ hire preferences, SB 45 sets up a mechanism to create and fund a veterans’ cemetery in the Interior to complement the national cemeteries in Sitka and at Ft. Richardson,” Huggins said. “This is an appropriate use of the revenues generated by the sale of special veterans’ license plates, and a good way for us to express our appreciation for the service of these veterans.”

“It is estimated there are about 100,000 veterans in Alaska, including roughly 11,000 in the Interior,” Therriault said. “We should be prepared to honor them as they deserve for their sacrifices made in defense of our nation. I appreciate the quick action by the State Affairs committee to move the bill forward.”

SB 45 has next been referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce committee.

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